Are you really communicating with your Lodge?

It’s a common issue, not just within Freemasonry but inside of most organizations, the lack of communication.

I do realize that there are many out there that would argue the point with me. They would point to the monthly newsletter that goes out, the email blasts, the call list (some have even automated it) and claim that they are communicating to the members of the Lodge.

In the strictest definition of the the term they are correct, they are sharing what is going on, but that’s only half the battle.

The other party not only needs to hear it, they also have understand it, and then act on it.

How many times have you seen something in your monthly newsletter scanned over the title and then moved on to the next piece? Even worse, have you gotten to the point where you already feel that you know what’s going to be in it without even opening it?

When that phone rings, do you avoid answering it because you know it’s going to be yet another plea for help for the dinner next week?

Have you stopped going to Lodge because you’re tired of hearing the same things “communicated” again and again?

Those are are all instances of informing, not communicating. The information is being passed out but it’s the same thing over and over with no changes, no new information, and no thought into the message itself.

So what do we do? For starters get to know the members of your Lodge and how they want to communicate. They may enjoy the monthly newsletter but are tired of the constant email reminders for things. Maybe you Lodge Brothers are big into facebook and would prefer to have a page or group there to keep them informed.

Of course you may find that you need to deliver your message out through a number of channels, that’s not a bad thing, as long as you vary the message.

You might be able to drop an article of several hundred words into your newsletter, but you probably don’t want to do the same on the Lodge’s facebook page. Maybe you need to limit your reminder emails to one a week but also include something of interest so there’s something besides the latest “don’t forget the dinner,” statement for your members to look at.

In all cases, be sure to include what they need to do next, the ‘call to action,’ as it is often called. Let them know who to contact if they want to help out. If it’s appropriate include a phone number or email address. Be sure that the coordinator knows that information is going out, don’t let them be surprised.

Finally, be sure to thank everyone involved, and do it publicly. There is nothing that will work to help folks pay attention and want to act on things better than recognition – don’t hide the fact that they helped.

Are you struggling with communication in your Lodge? What are you doing to try and fix it?